Laboratory Animals

Laboratory animals are used in a variety of research studies, including drug discovery. They are used to test the safety and efficacy of new drugs, to understand the mechanisms of disease, and to develop new treatments.

There are a number of reasons why laboratory animals are important in drug discovery.

First, they provide a controlled environment in which to test new drugs. This is important because it allows researchers to control for factors such as diet, exercise, and stress, which can affect the way a drug works.

Second, laboratory animals are similar to humans in many ways. They have similar biological systems, and they can develop many of the same diseases. This makes them useful models for studying human diseases and for testing new drugs.

Third, laboratory animals are relatively easy to obtain and care for. This makes them a cost-effective option for drug discovery.

While laboratory animals are an important part of drug discovery, it is important to note that they are not perfect models for humans. There are some important differences between humans and laboratory animals, and these differences can limit the usefulness of animal studies.

For example, laboratory animals often metabolize drugs differently than humans do. This can make it difficult to predict how a drug will work in humans based on its effects in animals.

Additionally, laboratory animals cannot always be used to study the long-term effects of drugs. This is because they typically have shorter lifespans than humans, and they may not develop the same diseases as humans.

Despite these limitations, laboratory animals remain an important part of drug discovery. They provide a valuable tool for researchers, and they help to ensure that new drugs are safe and effective before they are used in humans.

Here are some of the most common laboratory animals used in drug discovery:

• Mice
• Rats
• Rabbits
• Guinea pigs
• Hamsters
• Monkeys
• Dogs
• Cats

 

These animals are used because they are similar to humans in many ways, and they can be easily bred and maintained in laboratories. They are also relatively inexpensive to care for, which makes them a cost-effective option for drug discovery.

The use of laboratory animals in drug discovery is a controversial topic. Some people argue that it is unethical to use animals in research, while others believe that it is necessary to use animals to develop new drugs that can save lives.

There are a number of ethical considerations that must be taken into account when using laboratory animals in research. These include the following:

• The animals must be treated humanely.
• The research must be justified by the potential benefits to humans.
• The research must be conducted in a way that minimizes pain and suffering to the animals.

It is important to weigh the ethical considerations carefully before using laboratory animals in research. However, it is also important to remember that the use of laboratory animals has led to the development of many life-saving drugs.

Here is a table of animals used in experimental pharmacology, along with their biological names, body weight, tentative life span, and types of experiments for which they are used:

Animal	Biological Name	Body Weight (g)	Tentative Life Span (years)	Types of Experiments
Mouse	Mus musculus	20-30	2-3	Toxicology, genetics, cancer research, neuroscience
Rat	Rattus norvegicus	200-300	2-3	Toxicology, pharmacology, cardiovascular research, diabetes research
Rabbit	Oryctolagus cuniculus	2-3 kg	8-10	Toxicology, ophthalmology, cardiovascular research, immunology
Guinea pig	Cavia porcellus	500-1000	5-8	Toxicology, dermatology, infectious disease research
Hamster	Mesocricetus auratus	100-150	2-3	Toxicology, circadian rhythm research, cancer research
Monkey	Macaca mulatta	4-10 kg	20-30	Toxicology, infectious disease research, neuroscience, behavioral research
Dog	Canis familiaris	10-30 kg	10-15	Toxicology, cardiovascular research, behavior research, cancer research
Cat	Felis catus	4-5 kg	10-15	Toxicology, infectious disease research, behavior research, ophthalmology
Zebrafish	Danio rerio	1-2 g	3-5	Toxicology, genetics, developmental biology
Roundworm	Caenorhabditis elegans	1-1.5 mm	2-3 weeks	Genetics, developmental biology, neurobiology
Fruit Fly	Drosophila melanogaster	1-2 mg	2-3 weeks	Genetics, behavior research, neurobiology

 

Administration of Volume  

The amount of volume that can be administered to an experimental animal via oral, subcutaneous, and intraperitoneal routes on a per kilogram body weight basis varies depending on the animal species, the route of administration, and the type of substance being administered.

In general, the following guidelines can be used:

• Oral route: The maximum volume that can be administered orally to an animal is typically 10 mL/kg body weight (maximum limit 20 ml/kg). However, this volume may need to be reduced for animals with small body weights or for substances that are poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
• Subcutaneous route: The maximum volume that can be administered subcutaneously to an animal is typically 5 mL/kg body weight (maximum limit 10 ml/kg). However, this volume may need to be reduced for animals with small body weights or for substances that are irritating to the subcutaneous tissues.
• Intraperitoneal route: The maximum volume that can be administered intraperitoneally to an animal is typically 10 mL/kg body weight (maximum limit 20 ml/kg). This route is not recommended for Rabbits. However, this volume may need to be reduced for animals with small body weights or for substances that are irritating to the peritoneal tissues.

It is important to note that these are just general guidelines, and the specific volume that can be administered to an animal should always be determined by a qualified veterinarian or animal care specialist.

Here are some additional considerations that should be taken into account when administering substances to experimental animals:

• The age and health of the animal
• The route of administration
• The type of substance being administered
• The concentration of the substance
• The volume of the substance
• The frequency of administration

It is important to carefully consider all of these factors before administering any substance to an experimental animal.